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.Chickering said, "Good to meet you, Doctor." His index finger pointed like arevolver.To Melissa: "Young lady."He saw himself out.When the door closed, Melissa said, "Idiot.Everyone knows he's an idiot the kids all call him Prickering behind his back.There's basically no crime in San Labrador, so no one challenges him.It's notbecause of him, though just that outsiders stick out like sore thumbs.And thepolice roust anyone who doesn't look rich."Talking rapidly but fluently.Just a slight raise of pitch-a tinge of thepanic I'd heard over the phone.I said, "Your basic small-town setup.She said, "That's what this place is.Hicksville.Nothing ever happens here."She lowered her head and shook it."Only now it has.It is my fault, Dr.Delaware.I should have told her about him!""Melissa, there's no indication McCloskey has anything to do with this.Think of what you just said about the police rousting outsiders.The chance ofanyone being able to stalk her without being spotted is nil.""Stalk." She shivered, let out breath."I hope you're right.Then where isshe? What happened to her?"I chose my words carefully."It's possible, Melissa, that no-hing happened toher.That she did this on her own."You're saying she ran away?"Page 127ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"I'm saying she may have taken a drive and decided to prolong it.""No way!" She shook her head vehemently."No way!""Melissa, when I talked to your mother I got the sense she was chafing at thebit really yearning for some freedom."She kept shaking her head.Turned her back on me and faced the greenstaircase.I said, "She talked to me about being ready to take giant steps.Of standing before an open door and having to walk through.She spoke of thishouse as stifling her.I got the distinct impression she wanted out and waseven considering moving once you'd gone away.""No! She didn't take anything with her I checked her room.All the suitcases are there.I know everything in her closet and she didn'ttake any of her clothes!""I'm not saying she planned a trip, Melissa.I'm talking about somethingspontaneous.Impulsive.""No." Another sharp head shake."She was careful.She wouldn't do this to me.""You are her main concern.But maybe she got.intoxicated by her newfoundfreedom.She insisted on driving by herself today wanted to feel in control.Maybe once she got out on the road, driving her favorite car, it felt so goodshe just kept going.That has nothing to do with her love for you.Butsometimes when things start to change, they change fast."She bit her lip, fought back tears, and said in a very small voice, "Youreally think she's okay?""I think you need to do everything possible to try to locate her.But I wouldn't assume the worst."She took several breaths, punched her sides.Kneaded her hands."Out on the road.And she just kept going.Wouldn't that be something."Wide-eyed.Fascinated by the possibility.Then fascination gave way to injury."No, I just can't see it she wouldn't do that to me."She loves you dearly, Melissa, but she "Yes, she does," she said, crying."Yes, she does love me.And I want her back!"Footsteps sounded on the marble to our left.We turned toward it.Ramp was standing there, blazer over one arm.Melissa used her bare hands to dry her eyes hastily and ineffectually.He said, "I'm sorry, Melissa.You were right there's no sense blaming anybody.Sorry if I offended you, too, Doctor."I said, "No offense taken."Melissa turned away from him.Page 128ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlHe came over and shook my hand.Melissa was tapping her foot, finger-combing her hair.Ramp said, "Melissa, I know how you fee The point is, we're in this together.We've all got to hang together.To get her back."Melissa spoke without looking at him."What do you want from me?"He gave a concerned look.It seemed genuine.Paternal.She ignored it.Hesaid, "I know Chickering's a moron.I don't have any more confidence in himthan you do.So let's put our heads together.See if we can come up with something, for God's sake."He held out his hands.Frozen in supplication.Genuine pain on his face.Unless he was better than Olivier.She said, "Whatever." Sounding that bored had to be a strain.He said, "Look, there's no sense standing around out here.Let's go in, staynear the phone.Can I get you something to drink, Doctor?""Coffee, if you've got it.""Sure bet."We followed him through the house, settled in the rear room with the Frenchdoors and painted beams.The gardens and rolling lawns and tennis court werebathed in emerald light.The pool was a lozenge of peacock blue.All but oneof the doors to the car stable were closed.Ramp picked up a phone on an end table, punched two digits, and said, "Pot ofcoffee in the rear study, please.Three cups.Hanging up, he said, "Make yourself comfortable, Doctor."I settled in a sun-cracked club chair the color of a well-used saddle.Melissa perched on the arm of a cane-backed chair nearby.Scratched her lip.Tugged at her ponytail.Ramp remained standing.Every hair in place, but his face showed the strain.A moment later Madeleine came in with the coffee and set it down withoutcomment.Ramp thanked her, dismissed her, and poured three cups.Black for meand himself, cream and sugar for Melissa.She accepted it but didn't drink.Ramp and I sipped.No one spoke.Ramp said, "Let me call Malibu again." He picked up the phone and punched in anumber.Held it to his ear for several moments before putting it back in itscradle.Treating the apparatus with special care, as if it held his fate.I said, "What's in Malibu?"Page 129ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Our Gina's beach house.Broad Beach [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]